H.R. 5129: Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2025

The bill known as the Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2025 proposes amendments to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 regarding the calculation and distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill aims to do:

1. Introduction of Low-Cost Food Plan

The bill introduces a new definition for a "low-cost food plan," designed to represent the dietary needs of a four-person household made up of two adults (ages 19-50) and two children (ages 6-11). This plan will be used to calculate SNAP benefits.

2. Reevaluation of Cost

The Secretary of Agriculture is tasked with reevaluating and publishing the costs of the low-cost food plan every five years, starting from December 31, 2029. This reevaluation will take into account current food prices, dietary guidance, and consumption patterns.

3. Adjustments to Benefit Allotments

Allotments for SNAP benefits will be based on the costs as determined by the low-cost food plan, with adjustments made for household size and the unique living costs in states like Hawaii and Alaska. The bill specifies that adjustments will be made annually to reflect cost changes from the previous June.

4. Changes to Medical Expense Deductions

The bill modifies the standard medical expense deduction for SNAP participants, allowing for a more consistent calculation of allowable medical expenses for elderly or disabled members of the household. Starting in fiscal year 2023, the standard deduction will be set at $140, with annual adjustments based on consumer price indexes.

5. Elimination of Shelter Expense Limits

Current caps on excess shelter expenses will be removed, enabling recipients to deduct their actual shelter costs from their income calculations for SNAP eligibility.

6. Removal of Time Limits

This legislation proposes to eliminate the time limits that currently restrict certain individuals from receiving SNAP benefits. By doing so, it expands eligibility for ongoing assistance.

7. Conforming Amendments

Numerous conforming amendments will be made throughout the Food and Nutrition Act to accommodate these changes. This includes adjustments to definitions and other technical provisions to fit the updated framework.

8. Implementation Timeline

Once enacted, the bill will take effect and its provisions will be implemented in accordance with the respective schedules and evaluations outlined within the legislation.

Relevant Companies

• UNFI - United Natural Foods, Inc. may be impacted by changes in food purchasing and sales due to shifts in SNAP benefit structures.
• SFM - Sprouts Farmers Market could see changes in customer purchasing patterns based on adjusted SNAP benefits.